South Africa women's national soccer team

Football world cup: African women make their mark, against all odds

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 4, 2023
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That’s three of the top 10 teams from the Fifa world rankings out in the group stage, and the US only runners-up in their group.

Key Points: 
  • That’s three of the top 10 teams from the Fifa world rankings out in the group stage, and the US only runners-up in their group.
  • This is the first time that three African teams have made it to the second round and a great indicator that the quality of the game is improving.
  • African teams, among other non-traditional power houses like Colombia and Jamaica, have indeed showed up to unsettle any pre-tournament expectations.

Debutantes cause a stir

    • This sets up a mouth-watering clash with France, who are in devastating form.
    • Out of the eight debutantes in Australia and New Zealand, the Atlas Lionesses are the last women standing.
    • The Moroccan government also deserves credit for investment in a football academy that seeks to produce international quality footballers from both boys and girls.

South Africa overcome pre-tournament chaos

    • One player who has stood out is Thembi Kgatlana, who has scored twice and assisted on two goals.
    • The reward for South Africa’s progress is a clash with the Netherlands.

The Super Falcons are flying

    • The team has surpassed expectations in an extremely difficult Group B to qualify for the last 16 for a second consecutive World Cup.
    • The underdog Super Falcons drew with Canada 0-0, beat Australia 3-2 and drew with Republic of Ireland 0-0 to emerge runners-up in Group B.
    • In the process, they edged out the current Olympic champions, Canada, at the group stage of the tournament.

Ready to compete

    • Zambia have departed the stage with heads held high as they finished third in their group after beating Costa Rica 3-1.
    • The self-belief and confidence, as well as the technical and tactical astuteness displayed by the African teams, shows that their opponents cannot take them lightly.

Africa at the Women’s World Cup football: Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Zambia could cause upsets

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
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Morocco and Zambia are making their Fifa Women’s World Cup debut in 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Morocco and Zambia are making their Fifa Women’s World Cup debut in 2023.
  • South Africa must recover their morale after a pay dispute and Nigeria once again leads the charge for the continent.
  • Although the four African teams to qualify are not among the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy, there’s a strong chance one of them could make it to the knockouts.

Zambia

    • Zambia are hoping to make a big impact as they appear at this elite tournament for the first time.
    • At the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, the team showed glimpses of brilliance that many expect to see more of.
    • As she is the first professional woman footballer from Zambia, a lot is expected from Banda.

Morocco

    • This will, therefore, be a trailblazing effort that’s bound to attract worldwide attention, especially if Morocco were to win a few matches.
    • Morocco, the 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations runners-up, will take on two-time champions Germany, Colombia and Korea Republic.
    • The striker is the forward spark Morocco needed, with seven goals in 15 games since her senior international debut in 2021.

South Africa

    • South Africa have become a powerful force in African women’s football.
    • Read more:
      Morocco vs South Africa as women's football enters a new era

      South Africa rely on a youthful squad.

    • South Africa will be led by their star player Thembi Kgatlana, who scored the country’s first – and so far only – goal on the World Cup stage when she put Banyana Banyana ahead against Spain in 2019.

Nigeria

    • Nigeria have been to the World Cup ever since its inaugural edition in 1991.
    • Read more:
      Women's football in Nigeria has a long history of defiance

      Nigeria will be led by their star player, Asisat Oshoala, who has a record of success wherever she’s played.

Outside chance


    African women’s teams are not ranked highly as they enter the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria is the highest ranked at 40, followed by South Africa at 54, Morocco at 72 and Zambia at 77. However, there is strong hope that with the newly expanded tournament, an African team can rise to the occasion and cause enough upsets to make it to the knockout rounds of the tournament.